Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Decentralisation Programme.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Ceisteanna (31, 32, 33)

Liz McManus

Ceist:

25 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Finance if an assurance has been sought from public service unions that civil servants who opt not to participate in the Government’s proposed decentralisation programme will not suffer in regard to promotional prospects; if such an assurance has been given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8933/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

53 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Finance if promotion opportunities have been made dependent on a willingness to decentralise. [8688/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Ciarán Cuffe

Ceist:

78 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Finance the nature of the threats posed to the Government’s Department relocation programme by the reluctance to this policy being shown at recent annual conference of public service unions. [8973/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take questions 25, 53 and 78 together.

I have made it clear on many occasions that the decentralisation programme will operate on a voluntary basis. Civil and public servants who do not wish to transfer to a decentralised location will be assigned to alternative public service posts in Dublin. The exact procedures which will apply in such cases will be dealt with as part of the implementation process, which is being overseen by the implementation group. These arrangements are also being discussed with the public service unions.

Decentralisation will inevitably change the way in which the public service will operate in the future. In the case of promotion prospects, there will continue to be broadly speaking the same opportunities across the service but the impact on individuals, both those serving in Dublin and outside Dublin, will depend upon a variety of factors. The decentralised nature of the service will mean that people, particularly those at the more senior levels, will in the future have to consider their career prospects in the light of the opportunities that arise both in Dublin and outside Dublin. I would also expect, for example, that the question of regional promotion structures is an issue that is likely to arise in the discussions with the unions. Promotion practices for the future will have to have regard to decentralisation.

One of the advantages of the decentralisation programme is that it will create a wider range of work and career opportunities for individuals working outside Dublin than is currently the case. Present and future civil servants who aspire to senior management positions will no longer have to migrate to the capital, although many may well continue to do so. Similarly, individuals serving in Dublin will be able to pursue their careers within Dublin but, again, many may choose to avail of promotion opportunities in decentralised offices.

I am confident arrangements will be put in place to ensure that sufficient staff are available to carry out the work of the Department and agencies involved in the decentralisation programme.

Barr
Roinn